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Millerton man's journey from Guatemala to Millerton culminates with citizenship

At 17 years old, Hector De Leon left his home in Guatemala in hopes of reaching the United States.

He traveled to the U.S.-Mexican border with 20 strangers from various countries. He planned to speak with border officials and explain he was trying to be reunited with his father. At the time, he couldn't speak any English.

"I was scared and nervous when they talked to me.” He remembered. “I said, ‘I wanted to be with my father.’ I thought they were going to send me back.”

That was seven years ago. On Friday, that fear was replaced with a different emotion.

With his right hand raised and tears in his eyes, the Millerton resident repeated the Oath of allegiance to the United States and became a naturalized citizen.

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Hector DeLeon takes the Oath of Allegiance during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020.(Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

He was among 120 from 45 countries become citizens at the Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie. The ceremony came at a time of division around the country, with the question of illegal immigration and a path to citizenship serving as one of the key issues discussed passionately by citizens and government officials.

De Leon said he had no words to describe the moment, but that it was the best day of his life.

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson, a Roy C. Ketcham High School graduate, highlighted the importance of the oath the citizens were taking and encouraged each of them to register to vote in his address.

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Dutchess County Sheriffs provide the Color Guard for Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Whitney Humphrey from Family Services speaks during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro speaks during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Hector DeLeon, at center, listens to a speaker during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County Sheriffs provide the Color Guard for Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Hector DeLeon takes the Oath of Allegiance during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Hector DeLeon takes the Oath of Allegiance during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson addresses the crowd during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson addresses the crowd during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson addresses the crowd during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson addresses the crowd during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall speaks during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson congratulates a new citizen during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Dutchess County welcomes 120 new United States citizens during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Hector DeLeon receives his naturalization certificate from Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020. Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

"This is indeed a magic moment for you. When you walk out of here, those of you who just became citizens, all of the public officials that are in this room work for you in this democracy," Johnson said. "...as a citizen you have to give something back. You have to register to vote."

He went on to say that voters have the responsibility not only to vote, but to understand who and what they are voting for. He called on everyone in the crowd to stay informed and concerned.

"Our country does not function properly, our democracy does not function properly... unless the people that cast their vote understand what and who they are voting for," Johnson said.

Seven-year journey

For De Leon, the day ended a journey that began when he reached the U.S. border.

Officials questioned him and told him it would be several days before his paperwork could be approved. Being that he was a minor he was sent to what he described as a house for undocumented children.

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Hector DeLeon receives his naturalization certificate from Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall during Friday's naturalization ceremony at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on February 07, 2020.(Photo: Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal)

He stayed there for a month until he was approved to fly to New York. De Leon said he was terrified on the flight, that he would be deported before getting the chance to see his family.

"I was nervous because I didn't speak any English and I was just thinking about what I have to do when I get off the airplane," De Leon said. "It was something that was really hard, but I just wanted to be here with my father."

After landing in New York he said it took 11 months to get his green card, followed by six years of paperwork, meetings in order to reach the requirements to attend Friday’s ceremony.

De Leon said that he wasn't worried about getting deported because he followed the rules, and spoke with lawyers that assured him he had a good chance to gain citizenship.

As a citizen De Leon said he plans to go to school for electrical and plumbing to open his own company. He said he owns a landscaping company, but would like to expand into other areas of construction.

Johnson welcomed De Leon, and the other new citizens in the room, as Americans.

"From the moment you walk out of here, things will be fundamentally different for you," Johnson said. "For as long as you've been in this country you and I both know that a lot of people looked at you... and would ask where are you from, from this moment on if anybody asks you that question you get to say I'm an American just like you."